Innovative Ideas

Does your Board take time to look beyond the usual agenda items and focus on the big picture? Holding a longer meeting (often called a retreat) can create stronger focus and allow for more in-depth processing of ideas to keep your board focused on a strategic direction. Retreats also allow for a more relaxed climate so members can enhance their relationships and address issues in a more systematic way. Retreats may have gotten a bit of a bad rap in the past as more social outings than effective tools. In reality, they are important longer meetings that can help a group form, align and move forward.

As I talk with non-profit executives and board leaders, they are often hesitant to ask board members to commit time to meetings. Many are focused on keeping meetings short out of respect for the busy schedules of Board members. I agree there are tools and methods to keep routine meetings focused and brief. We have all been victims of long, tedious meetings where information is presented in excruciating detail or side topics and egos dominate the agenda, so that little else happens. The key to any effective meeting is to use the time wisely. Fundamentally, there are really only three ways to “spend” any meeting time:

What's Your Plan for Success?

In Using the Right and Left Brain for Strategic Success you will learn how to use mind maps and various planning templates and tools to create a clear understanding of what you want to accomplish and a step-by-step plan to get you there.

The next session will be held in Valparaiso on Friday, October 4 from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The cost of the session is $185. Click here for more information.